Be used to eliminate the method for noise
The present invention is to be that on April 27th, 2005, application number are divided an application for " low noise sample and holding circuit " application for " 200580013653.2 ", former denomination of invention the applying date.
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to field of image sensors, more specifically, relate to a kind of method and apparatus of generation that be used to remove from the unwanted noise of imageing sensor.
Background technology
As known technically, digital camera comprises the imageing sensor of the electronic representation that is used to catch scenery.As most of electronic installations, in imageing sensor, produced the unwanted noise that reduces picture quality.Obviously, wish to remove this noise and improve picture quality.
Therefore, need a kind of method and apparatus that is used to remove this unwanted noise.
Summary of the invention
The present invention is intended to overcome the one or more problems that propose above.Summarize briefly, according to an aspect of the present invention, the invention reside in a kind of imageing sensor, comprise that (a) is used to catch a plurality of pixels of the incident light of the signal that is converted into presentation video; Wherein noise combines with the signal of presentation video and reset level; (b) produce a plurality of dark reference pixel of noise, the noise basically identical in this noise and image and the reset level or consistent in the same manner; (c) sampling and holding circuit, the noise from picture signal and reset level is eliminated or eliminated substantially to its reading images signal and by use producing from the noise removing of this dark reference pixel noise from image and reset level.
According to a further aspect in the invention, the invention reside in a kind of method that is used to eliminate or eliminate basically noise, this noise is by first power supply related with the pixel in the imageing sensor, first bias voltage and first ground produce, the method comprising the steps of: produce reference voltage in being operable as the sampling that is connected with described pixel and holding circuit, this reference voltage comprises and uses second source alone or in combination, second bias voltage and second ground produce with by first power supply, the noise of the identical or substantially the same quantity of the noise that first bias voltage and first ground produce, this second source, second bias voltage is related with the dark reference pixel in being arranged on this sampling and holding circuit with second ground; And when read reset signal and picture signal from described sampling and holding circuit, eliminate or eliminate basically the noise that produces by first power supply, first bias voltage and first ground.
By the detailed description of following preferred embodiment and claims, and with reference to accompanying drawing, these and other aspects of the present invention, purpose, feature and advantage will more be expressly understood and be estimated.
The beneficial effect of the invention
The present invention has the advantage of the unwanted noise that elimination produces in the pixel of imageing sensor.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the top view of imageing sensor of the present invention and its be associated sampling and holding circuit;
Fig. 2 detail drawing that to be pixel be connected with holding circuit with it and sampling;
Fig. 3 is the perspective view that is used to illustrate for the camera of the typical commercial embodiment of imageing sensor of the present invention.
Embodiment
With reference to figure 1, show imageing sensor 10 with a plurality of pixels 20 of arranging with predetermined array.A plurality of samplings and holding circuit 30 are connected respectively to the one-row pixels 20 (sampling and holding circuit 30 be used for each row pixel) of imageing sensor 10, are used to read the value from pixel 20 samplings.Sampling and holding circuit 30 also comprise dark reference pixel 40, and it will go through below.Operational amplifier 50 is connected to sampling and holding circuit 30, is used to change and amplifies from sampling and the signal of holding circuit 30.
With reference to figure 2, show pixel 20 of the present invention and the sampling of its collocation and the detail drawing of holding circuit 30.Each pixel 20 comprises the photosensitive region that receives the incident light (representing with arrow) that is converted into charge packet, and for example photodiode 60.Transmission gate 70 is optionally activated electric charge is transferred to charge conversion from photodiode 60 is the unsteady diffused capacitor 80 of voltage signal.Reset gate 90 plays the electric charge that consumes self-relocation diffused capacitor 80 function of diffused capacitor 80 to predetermined charge level of floating that reset.Source follower transistor 100 is connected to floats diffused capacitor 80 and plays the function of amplifying the signal that comes self-relocation diffused capacitor 80.
For read reset signal and actual picture signal, activate row selecting switch 110 allow to represent the to float voltage signal of reset level of diffused capacitor 80 and be transferred to sampling and holding circuit capacitor 120.In this, for transmitting this signal to capacitor 120, Closing Switch S
1And S
3Be used for capacitor 120 is charged to level corresponding to reset voltage level.Switch S then
1And S
3Be closed.Should notice clearly that capacitor 120 and 130 their signals of storage are known as electric charge technically.As following description, capacitor 120 charge stored will be read operational amplifier 50 (referring to Fig. 1).
Notice that unwanted noise produces from power supply 140 with it should also be clear that, ground 150 and bias voltage 160, and this unwanted noise appears at the node Vi place of row selecting transistor 110.Significantly, this noise had not only mixed with actual image signal but also with the reset image signal.As a result, as following description, the present invention has eliminated this noise during reading.
In this, dark reference pixel 40 is used to produce reference voltage, and this reference voltage comprises and produces from power supply 140 noise of the noise same amount of ground 150 and bias voltage 160 or the noise of basic identical amount.In other words, the power supply 170 of dark reference pixel 40, ground 180 and bias voltage 190 duplicate or have duplicated substantially the noise of pixel.This noise removing of dark reference pixel 40 at the noise that resets and image produces during reading.Significantly, this to be achieved be because the voltage on two capacitors 120 and 130 is charged with the voltage that comprises the pixel of identical or basic identical noisiness from it from the voltage of dark reference pixel and is associated in time so that this noise is eliminated or is eliminated substantially on capacitor 120 and 130.
For the actual image signal of sampling, Closing Switch S2 and S4 are charged to capacitor 130 and come the expression of self-relocation diffused capacitor 80 from the corresponding level of the sensing voltage of the sensing signal of photodiode 60.Open switch S 2 and S4 then.Closing Switch S5, S6, S7 and S8 read the electric charge from capacitor 120 and 130 respectively.Note, the signal indication reset level on the capacitor 120, the signal indication on the capacitor 130 is used for the actual signal of image.Power supply 140 as mentioned above, as to mix with picture signal and reset signal, the corresponding noise removing of the dark reference pixel 40 of noise quilt of ground 150 and bias voltage 160.
The output that operational amplifier 50 (referring to Fig. 1) is connected to switch S 5, S6, S7 and S8 come the expression reset signal of self-capacitance device 120 in the future and 130 and actual image signal sense charge be converted to the voltage signal of amplification.
With reference to figure 3, show the perspective view of the camera of ordinary consumer custom use, be used to illustrate typical commercial embodiment for imageing sensor 10 of the present invention and sampling and holding circuit 30.
The parts tabulation
10 imageing sensors
20 pixels
30 sampling and holding circuits
40 dark reference pixels
50 operational amplifiers
60 photodiodes
70 transmission gates
80 unsteady diffused capacitors
90 reset gates
100 source followers
110 row selecting transistors/switch
120 sampling and holding circuit capacitors
130 picture signal capacitors
140 power supplys
150 ground
160 bias voltages
170 power supplys
180 ground
190 bias voltages
200 cameras